Elected officials lend support to libraries, readers’ freedom

by Tyler Lederer | Mar 19, 2024 | Agawam, Easthampton, Hampden County, Local News, Westfield

AGAWAM — At a legislative breakfast Feb. 16, library advocates told local legislators to prioritize funding libraries and promoted legislation tackling book bans and eBook/audiobook  publishing practices. “Legislators please, I hope you will make library funding...

Westfield singer ‘shocked’ with turnaround on ‘The Voice’

by Tyler Lederer | Mar 14, 2024 | Hampden County, Local News, Westfield

WESTFIELD — Sometimes, Madison Curbelo has to rewatch the recording of her “The Voice” audition, because she still can’t believe what happened. Not only did she advance to the next round, she received chair turns from all four judges. “I was honestly shocked,” said...

National Guard hears Westfield concerns on F-35A noise

by Cliff Clark | Mar 14, 2024 | Hampden County, Local News, Westfield

WESTFIELD — Arriving alongside a new squadron of fighter jets at Barnes Air National Guard Base are questions about noise and pollution. North Side resident Rose Kim, commenting on the current noise level at the airport, said it has affected the quality of life for...

Westfield St. Pat float brings song’s ‘Unicorn’ back to life

by Amy Porter | Mar 14, 2024 | Hampden County, Local News, Westfield

WESTFIELD — This year’s Sons of Erin float for the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade on March 17 is based on “The Unicorn,” a song by Shel Silverstein, made popular by the Irish Rovers. The float, on which this year’s colleen Sydney Drugan and her court of Grace Hanna,...

Committee chooses ‘Westfield River’ as name of new school

by Michael Ballway | Mar 12, 2024 | Hampden County, Local News, Westfield

WESTFIELD — The building rising on Franklin Street will be named Westfield River Elementary School, the School Committee voted unanimously on March 4. The new elementary school’s name was one of three recommended to the committee by Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski....

Westfield votes like state to back Biden, Trump in primary

by Michael Ballway | Mar 12, 2024 | Hampden County, Local News, Westfield

WESTFIELD — Joseph Biden and Donald Trump widened their leads in the presidential nomination races on March 5, and voters in both Massachusetts as a whole, and Westfield in particular, placed themselves firmly in the front-runners’ corners. Both major-party candidates...